2026 NBA Season

[Stavri]

What I've been saying for a week is happening. The Lakers have lost 3 games in a row and the Rockets now caught up with them. They'll probably face each other in the first round. If the Rockets win their remaining games, they could also get home court advantage. The Lakers will have a very tough time without Doncic. The Rockets will beat them in 5 or 6 games depending on home court advantage.

probably yes. Because Houston really gained a great momentum on the road to the playoffs and this shift in gears and recovery has been crucial. They are currently on a fantastic winning streak. If FVV had been available since the start of the season, we would likely have seen a much better Houston team, as the entire system had to change in his absence.

Just when we thought that Houston might go down in the standings, they suddenly got on a good winning streak and just about time to be ready in the playoff as they have a good momentum going for team. And also good to see that Durant is healthy as this point of his career and that the roster is build already. Although I would agree that having FVV as their point guard will do them good. But right now, they have adjusted themselves without him and ready for the next level playoff games as for sure this is going to be a big test for a first year Durant with the Rockets.

i think this streak was achieved by Rockets despite KD not because of him. KD is an incredibly talented shooter but he always seems to mess up the chemistry of the teams. On top of the Rockets lack of guards, the team's drive to win and their sense of unity were disrupted because of him. i hope they finally break this cycle with this series.

[el kaka22]

Lebron James must be really upset with this situation, he doesn't have much left in the tank, while we may joke about him being the best old player , and yes he was the best player in the league history after 40, hell you can argue about anything lower than that too, you can see he was best ever, but some will say mj, some say anything else, but nobody played as well as him after 40 years old.

So we think he is still good, but lets face it he is still aging and every year is a bit worse for him, and he is going to retire soon, maybe one more year, maybe two, not sure, but that's about it. So this season was a very good chance for him to get his last title, not sure what's going to happen next season that may make it happen.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

Lebron James must be really upset with this situation, he doesn't have much left in the tank, while we may joke about him being the best old player , and yes he was the best player in the league history after 40, hell you can argue about anything lower than that too, you can see he was best ever, but some will say mj, some say anything else, but nobody played as well as him after 40 years old.

He should, his chances are getting slimmer by every season. And when he thought that this could be it as Luka is performing and putting MVP numbers and he has a good compliment player in Reaves, suddenly the two went down before the end of the regular season.

So we think he is still good, but lets face it he is still aging and every year is a bit worse for him, and he is going to retire soon, maybe one more year, maybe two, not sure, but that's about it. So this season was a very good chance for him to get his last title, not sure what's going to happen next season that may make it happen.

Father time is going to caught up with him, no one has defeated it. He is just prolonging the inevitable, so he might just have a few seasons in him as his wishes has been fulfilled already when him and Bronny played at the same time in the league.

[freedomgo]

So this season was a very good chance for him to get his last title, not sure what's going to happen next season that may make it happen.

He must be really frustrated by now and probably even thinking about retiring soon, because it feels like there’s nothing left for him to prove.

It’s just bad luck hitting them at the worst time. They were already so close, had a really good run, and even reached top 3 in the West, but now they’re sliding fast. They’re at number 4 now, tied with the Rockets, and already on a 3-game losing streak.

If they keep losing, they could easily lose that home court advantage. Just imagine if that happens while Luka and Reaves are still out, that would be an even bigger disadvantage for them.

[EFS]

Lebron James must be really upset with this situation, he doesn't have much left in the tank, while we may joke about him being the best old player , and yes he was the best player in the league history after 40, hell you can argue about anything lower than that too, you can see he was best ever, but some will say mj, some say anything else, but nobody played as well as him after 40 years old.

So we think he is still good, but lets face it he is still aging and every year is a bit worse for him, and he is going to retire soon, maybe one more year, maybe two, not sure, but that's about it. So this season was a very good chance for him to get his last title, not sure what's going to happen next season that may make it happen.

It would be a miracle if they even pass the first round without Luka. I don't think LeBron has any expectations of winning a title this year either. He's been in the league long enough to know that their chances are very slim.

For a player whose career is full of final appearances, not being able to stay in the race with a strong roster is frustrating, but injuries change everything. The level of competition this year also is much higher. There are 4 real title contenders in the West alone. I wouldn't consider the Thunder, Spurs, Nuggets or Rockets championship a surprise this season.

[Stavri]

Lebron James must be really upset with this situation, he doesn't have much left in the tank, while we may joke about him being the best old player , and yes he was the best player in the league history after 40, hell you can argue about anything lower than that too, you can see he was best ever, but some will say mj, some say anything else, but nobody played as well as him after 40 years old.

So we think he is still good, but lets face it he is still aging and every year is a bit worse for him, and he is going to retire soon, maybe one more year, maybe two, not sure, but that's about it. So this season was a very good chance for him to get his last title, not sure what's going to happen next season that may make it happen.

Lebron has been putting up mind blowing numbers lately and ever since Luka hit his prime form this past month Lebron had truly embraced his role as the team’s elite complement. They had become an incredible duo.
now, he’s been left all alone in the playoffs, finding himself as one of the unluckiest players in the NBA once again expected to perform miracles at 41 years old.

[jakdanyel]

The reports said Reaves and Luka could make a comeback as early as the 2nd round in the Playoffs. Luka is exploring some options to get the best doctor in Europe for his speedy recovery. Some people even think both Reaves and Luka were just resting up as preparation for the upcoming playoffs since they already clinched a spot. LeBron could just sit out for a couple of games for their remaining 5.
However, if those injuries were legit, and both Reaves and Luka will miss the 1st round. Again, I don't think the Lakers would survive against the Rockets or the Wolves If these both teams are healthy.

Against Rockets, I also think the same! Lakers wouldn't stand a chance without their best players. Even if Luka recovers during the 1st round I don't think they can still eliminate Rockets.

Because they are weaker in terms of physique in the first place. Besides Rockets are one of the most impressive teams lately with a 7-win streak. But for Timberwolves, I think Lakers have more chance against them in case of Luka's recovery.

[OgNasty]

Los Angeles Lakers vs the Golden State Warriors on Amazon Prime tonight. Not sure who we’ll be seeing actually grace the court, but LeBron and Steph both playing would be a nice treat to wind down the season. One day we will look back and cherish these matchups.

[xLays]

Los Angeles Lakers vs the Golden State Warriors on Amazon Prime tonight. Not sure who we’ll be seeing actually grace the court, but LeBron and Steph both playing would be a nice treat to wind down the season. One day we will look back and cherish these matchups.

I checked NBA Rotowire for the confirmed lineups that game and I saw that Stephen Curry is out for this game. Meanwhile, LeBron James will be playing tonight.
For sure, some fans are disappointed right now because they were hoping to watch Curry and LeBron face off this season..
But since the playoff seeding is pretty much decided, this game doesn’t feel that interesting anymore for me.

[yslyv]

Rockets have been one of the most in-form teams recently with a 7-win streak! Do you believe the reason behind is that Udoka has finally started to do the right things with his strategies?

That can't just be a coincidence. Currently they are about to face Lakers in playoffs I guess. I'm confident about Rockets to eliminate them especially while 2 of Lakers' stars are still injured.

LeBron wouldn't get enough help while Doncic - Reaves are both out. Even he can't play like in his prime at this age of course...

Ime Udoka was just lucky.
His game added something to the tanking Rockets at the beginning but right now he can’t manage a star like Durant, who has left his mark on the last 15-20 years nor Alperen and the other rising stars.
Rockets will only become championship contenders if they part ways with him and sign a coach who gets along well with young players and won't engage in ego wars.

The rockets are struggling the plays are already design no matter how good they are if they can't execute things properly or they have an off night nothing will change they will lose the game, Udoka is a great coach and he prove it in the Celtics if not only he was in a controversy, meaning he can manage the team, but when it comes to the floor its now the players responsibility to make the plays happen or they need to make the shot.
LA will struggle in the last few game before the playoffs and will surely slide in the standings, without those two, LeBron will have a hard time, this happens the last time, and its happening again, JJ failing to manage and check on players status, if this was pop team, they are already resting, if he see they have lingering injuries.

if i evaluate the season as a whole rather than just the recent games, i don't think Udoka does anything besides watching from the sidelines and hurling insults. He’s wasting Houston's young core. He can't manage the team in clutch moments at all and fails to make the necessary adjustments.

[Harkorede]

You just got to feel bad for Joel Embiid, he can't seem to catch a break with one health related issue or the other, just when his knee after some years looks like it's so much better, he went down with an oblique injury, barely got back and now as per Shams Charania he's been diagnosed with appendicitis and would undergo surgery today, I wish him speed recovery, only after the surgery I guess would there be an update about how long he'd be out for. The 76ers were looking real good with him, Paul George, Maxey and Edgecombe, they would have had an interesting post-season, If all of they can stay healthy...

[CLS63]

I checked NBA Rotowire for the confirmed lineups that game and I saw that Stephen Curry is out for this game. Meanwhile, LeBron James will be playing tonight.
For sure, some fans are disappointed right now because they were hoping to watch Curry and LeBron face off this season..
But since the playoff seeding is pretty much decided, this game doesn’t feel that interesting anymore for me.

Curry was actually expected to be back recently but it looks like there is still time needed for a proper recovery. I read LeBron was doubtful too but if he is confirmed then good. But still the game wouldn't be so much fun.

I would rather watch Knicks-Celtics tonight. You know that Tatum has started to improve his statistics recently so it can be a nice one. Knicks are favoured at home but I wouldn't write off Celtics easily.